Ready to spice up your snack game? This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and a little bit crunchy — a total crowd-pleaser that’s fun to make and even better to munch on.

A close-up view of white popcorn scattered over a white marbled surface, being coated with a thick, shiny red sauce that is being poured from a red ladle just above the popcorn. The sauce spreads unevenly, covering parts of the popcorn in vivid red streaks and patches, contrasting sharply with the fluffy white kernels underneath, showing a glossy and sticky texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't get enough of how the spicy Red Hots candies melt into a sticky, cinnamon-spiced coating that toasts to perfection on popcorn. It's like a party in your mouth every time!

Bold Flavor Combo: The fiery cinnamon heat mixed with sweet white chocolate creates a unique taste explosion.
Perfect Party Snack: Its festive red sprinkles and colors make it great for holidays or game nights.
Easy To Make: Just a few simple ingredients and some baking time, no fancy equipment needed.
Crunchy & Sweet: Baked for 30 minutes for that irresistible crunch with every bite.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for this cinnamon candy popcorn is a breeze when you know what to look out for. Choosing the right cinnamon candies and quality white chocolate makes all the difference in flavor and texture.

Flat lay of a large mound of fluffy popped popcorn, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy light corn syrup, a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with vibrant red cinnamon candies, a tiny heap of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl containing white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl brimming with smooth ivory white chocolate chips, and a delicate scattering of bright red sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Popped popcorn: This is your base; fresh, plain popped popcorn works best so the coating sticks well.
Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the sugar mixture smoothly.
Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes with the other ingredients to create that crunchy coating.
Light corn syrup: Keeps the coating sticky and glossy without crystallizing.
Red Hots candies: The star ingredient—delivering that signature fiery cinnamon punch.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Baking soda: Helps lighten the candy coating for a crisp texture.
White chocolate chips: Melted and drizzled on top, they add creamy sweetness and contrast.
Red sprinkles: For a festive finish and cute pop of color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is how wonderfully versatile it can be. Whether you want to dial up the heat or keep things mild and sweet, this snack invites you to experiment and make it truly your own!

Spicy Sweet Twist: I love adding an extra pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon candy mixture for a surprising spicy kick that contrasts perfectly with the sugary coating.
Chocolate Lover’s Delight: For a richer treat, try swapping out the white chocolate drizzle with dark chocolate—it adds depth and balances the cinnamon’s warmth beautifully.
Allergy-Friendly Version: If you’re avoiding corn syrup, honey or maple syrup can be a great natural substitute in the coating, though the texture will be a bit different but still delicious.
Holiday Flair: Swap the red sprinkles for green and white ones during the festive season to make this an eye-catching party snack that’s perfect for the holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

A white bowl filled with bright red popcorn mixed with white drizzle and scattered with small red round candies and white chocolate chips; the popcorn clusters are piled high with a mix of shiny red candy pieces and smooth white chips evenly spread throughout; some pieces spill onto a white marbled surface around the bowl; the background shows a blurry red box adding to the vibrant red and white color theme; photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Popcorn and Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 250°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spread 8 cups of freshly popped popcorn into a single even layer on the baking sheet. This ensures every kernel gets that gorgeous cinnamon candy glaze later on. Having the popcorn ready while you make the coating saves time and keeps everything moving smoothly.

Step 2: Whip Up That Cinnamon Candy Coating

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of butter. Stir in the salt, 1 cup of Red Hots candies, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Keep whisking as it comes to a boil—this helps everything blend and prevents burning. Once boiling, remove the pan from heat and stir in ½ teaspoon baking soda. The mixture will bubble and foam slightly, which is exactly what you want for a light, crunchy coating.

Step 3: Coat and Bake the Popcorn

Quickly but gently pour the hot cinnamon candy syrup over the popcorn on the baking sheet. Use a spatula or large spoon to toss the popcorn lightly, making sure every kernel gets coated. Don’t delay—this sticky mixture sets fast! Pop the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Halfway through, take it out and toss the popcorn again to ensure even coverage. After baking, let it cool slightly so the coating hardens just right.

Step 4: Add the White Chocolate Drizzle and Final Touches

Microwave ½ cup of white chocolate chips according to package instructions until smooth and fully melted—this usually takes about 30 seconds, but stir halfway through. Drizzle the melted white chocolate evenly over the cooled popcorn with a spoon for a beautiful, sweet contrast. Immediately sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup Red Hots candies, ¼ cup white chocolate chips, and festive red sprinkles on top. Let the chocolate set completely before serving for that perfect crunchy, spicy-sweet bite.

Top Tip

Making the perfect Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is all about timing and the right ingredients. These tips will help you get that ideal crunchy coating and festive look every time.

Quick Tossing: When pouring the hot cinnamon candy mixture over the popcorn, toss it quickly but gently. This prevents the candy from hardening too soon and ensures every kernel is coated evenly.
Choosing Your Candies: I’ve found that sticking to authentic Red Hots candies for this recipe gives that signature spicy kick. Substitutes can work, but the flavor might not be quite the same.
Chocolate Melting Technique: Using high-quality white chocolate chips and melting them slowly in the microwave ensures a smooth drizzle without clumps or graininess.
Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye on the popcorn during the 30-minute bake to prevent burning. Tossing halfway through helps make sure it bakes evenly without drying out.

How to Serve Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe

The left side shows a close-up of a silver pot with a whisk inside, filled with a thick, bright red sauce that has a glossy, almost bubbly texture. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with a small piece of cork underneath. In the top left corner, there is a white tray partially filled with plain white popcorn. On the right side, there is a white baking dish filled with popcorn coated in shiny, bright red sauce. A black spatula is resting on top of the popcorn with some red sauce stuck on it, and the white marbled surface is partially visible underneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Want to add a little extra sparkle? Besides the red sprinkles already in the recipe, try dusting a little powdered sugar for a snowy effect or add some edible glitter for holiday parties. You can also toss in mini red and white candies or crushed peppermint to enhance the festive vibe.

Side Dishes

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is a bold, sweet snack on its own but pairs beautifully with a cozy hot chocolate or a cup of spiced apple cider. For parties, serve alongside savory finger foods like cheese boards or spiced nuts to balance the sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the popcorn has fully cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps it crisp and fresh for up to 5 days—perfect for snacking over the course of the week.

Freezing

While freezing popcorn isn’t usually recommended due to texture changes, if you must, place the cooled popcorn in a sealed freezer bag with as much air removed as possible. Thaw it at room temperature before serving, but note it may lose some crunch.

Reheating

If your popcorn has softened or lost a bit of its crunch, refresh it in the oven at 250° F for 5–7 minutes. Keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn, and allow it to cool before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cinnamon candies besides Red Hots?

Yes, you can substitute Red Hots with similar cinnamon candies, but keep in mind that Red Hots provide the distinct spicy heat that makes this popcorn so special.

How spicy is the Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe?

This recipe offers a balanced sweet heat—enough to feel a warm cinnamon kick but still enjoyable for most palates. If you prefer less spice, you can reduce the amount of Red Hots candies slightly.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

To make it vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free white chocolate chips. Note that some Red Hots candies contain non-vegan ingredients, so check packaging carefully.

How long does the popcorn stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, the popcorn stays fresh and crunchy for up to 5 days.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Candy Popcorn Recipe is one of those treats that brings a little sparkle and spice to any occasion. Whether you’re sharing it at a holiday party, keeping it for movie night, or gifting it to friends, it delivers a fun mix of sweet, heat, and crunch that’s simply irresistible. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—have fun with the process and let the festive flavors brighten your day!